Detroit Freedom Friday 12

Friday August 1, 2014

4:00 pm at the DWSD downtown office, 735 Randolph, Detroit
Gather at the Bates Street entrance, around the corner

Permanent Moratorium on Water Shutoffs!

Restore Water Service Now!

Amnesty for those accused of turning on water!

Hands off the Pensions!

Make the Banks Pay!

Friday, August 1, will represent the 12th straight week of demonstrations in downtown Detroit in opposition to emergency management and the role of the banks and corporations in the ongoing dismantling and destruction of the city. Last week thousands of delegates to the Net Roots Conference at Cobo Center joined us for the demonstration through the financial district. Attendees included the National Nurses United which declared a public health emergency in the city. Other labor, political and community organizations marched alongside us in solidarity with the people of Detroit.

At present thousands of households have been subjected to illegal water shutoffs at the aegis of the bank-imposed EM Kevyn Orr who is seeking to drive even more people from the city as part of the “Grand Theft Bargain” they are implementing on behalf of the criminal corporations and financial institutions. These water shutoffs are being carried out by a private firm hired by the outlaw EM utilizing the tax dollars of residents. The aim is to illegally seize the water department from the people of Detroit and turn it over to private interests.

On Mon. July 21, federal bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes heard the DWSD declare a 15-day suspension of the shut-offs. This announcement in federal court was prompted by the testimony delivered at the objections’ hearing on July 15 as well as the mass demonstrations since then. In addition to the announcement by DWSD, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the DWSD against the shut-offs. Plaintiffs include victims of the draconian policy and four community organizations.
We are by no means satisfied with this supposed “suspension of shut-offs for 15 day.” We demand that all households that have had their water services terminated be immediately TURNED BACK ON! There must be an indefinite MORATORIUM ON ALL WATER SHUT-OFFS IN DETROIT! It is the banks which have swindled the taxpayers out of $530 million in fraudulent interest-rate swaps tied to the DWSD, funds that should be used to repair water main breaks and other infrastructural improvements along with lowering rates which have skyrocketed over 125 percent.

We are calling for the total rejection of the bogus “Plan of Adjustment” and the immediate ejecting of the EM Orr. Pensions, healthcare, public assets, the DIA, DWSD, Belle Isle, Detroit Public Schools and all other properties of the city must be protected from the corporate looters who have taken control of the state and local governments in Michigan. Local control must be restored and the capitulationist program of the City Council and the mayor should be resisted by the workers, seniors and youth of Detroit.